Vapes for kids: indifference to teenagers queues at shopping centers

Long lines of 12-14 year olds waiting to buy e-cigarettes at the Respublika Park shopping and entertainment center have become a common occurrence. Journalist Yevgeny Plinsky noted in his post on social media that such a situation, especially on Sundays when schoolchildren are trying to stock up for the holidays, is typical. The problem still remains out of the public’s attention.

Despite the serious risks to the health of young people, this problem is ignored by most people.

The Tax Service, the State Service for the Protection of Food and Consumer Rights, and the administration of shopping centers simply do not pay attention to the situation. In turn, the owners of shopping centers do not hesitate to rent out premises for the sale of e-cigarettes, realizing the consequences this can lead to. The photos of the situations captured by the journalist indicate the prevalence of this phenomenon in the country.

Yevheniy Plinsky regularly documents cases of e-cigarette sales to minors in Kyiv, his investigations reveal numerous violations of the law prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age. The journalist actively draws public attention to the inaction of state authorities.

In shopping malls, e-cigarettes are sold without proper verification of buyers’ documents. Sellers easily give the goods even to 12-year-old children or make sales via bank transfers, avoiding state control.

The consequences of such an approach can be catastrophic: it can lead to the rapid development of addiction in schoolchildren. E-cigarettes contain dangerous toxins, such as formaldehyde and heavy metals, which negatively affect the lungs, cardiovascular and nervous systems of the younger generation. This serious problem requires urgent intervention.